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FS3009: TOPIC IN FILM AND VISUAL CULTURE A (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

This course explores how cinema has interacted with war, beginning with Kracauer's theory of the collective unconscious during the post-World War 1 period of Germany before discussing Bazin's approach to Italian neorealism and its provocative post-fascist landscapes. Since the genesis of cinema, armed conflict has been a recurring topic for fiction filmmakers and this module will question how and why key representations have emerged. This approach will include challenging the presentation of European Empires, the frequent jingoism and Orientalism of Hollywood's Vietnam War, China's contemporary "Wolf Warrior" blockbusters and the more recent attempts to readdress colonial or military presence in Africa. Contextualising the study of film with a concurrent understanding of geopolitics and cultural changes, this module will also offer students a study in past and present as well in formative, historical, psychological and realist approaches to cinema.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Calum Waddell

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course explores how cinema has interacted with war, beginning with Kracauer's theory of the collective unconscious during the post-World War 1 period of Germany before discussing Bazin's approach to Italian neorealism and its provocative post-fascist landscapes. Since the genesis of cinema, armed conflict has been a recurring topic for fiction filmmakers and this module will question how and why key representations have emerged. This approach will include challenging the presentation of European Empires, the frequent jingoism and Orientalism of Hollywood's Vietnam War, China's contemporary "Wolf Warrior" blockbusters and the more recent attempts to readdress colonial or military presence in Africa. Contextualising the study of film with a concurrent understanding of geopolitics and cultural changes, this module will also offer students a study in past and present as well in formative, historical, psychological and realist approaches to cinema.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

There are no assessments for this course.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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